The two aircraft carriers escorting the convoy lost aircraft due to crash landings, considered by Admiral Somerville to be due to lack of training and experience of deck landing to a regrettable degree. His brother Francis David Short was in the First War but I have no details on his service. We are now on Facebook. Alternatively, search more than 1 million objects from IWM collections Menu. Become a Member The first time a foreign team have ever beaten them! One statement indicates he fell forward unhindered over the gun deck another says he staggered, gripped a rail and fell backwards to his death. Generally the qualifying service period for the Pacific Star could only begin after the 1939-1945 Star had been earned by six months service. Up to 1854 records are arranged by port and registry number; subsequently by ship's official number. If they appear on the same page, you should only pay one fee. Records of Merchant seamen serving in the Royal Navy under T124X and T124T contracts The UK National Archive (formerly the Public Record Office) holds the following records which are available for online access: The reference BT 391 includes the T124X records which detail the sea service of merchant seamen who served on Royal Navy ships. This is the story of my Grandad, James Wafer and his best friend and shipmate Matty Towers. The first chapter of this books presents the three waves operations of social, political, economic, technological, military and educational aspect of world affairs under the following subjects. If the information here has been helpful or you have enjoyed reaching the stories please conside making a donation, no matter how small, would be much appreciated, annually we need to raise enough funds to pay for our web hosting or this site will vanish from the web. I hope to also take a digital diary when it is finished to the Arctic Convoy Museum at Loch Ewe. On the outbreak of the 1939-1945 war between the United Kingdom and Germany (3 September 1939), British-registered merchant ship masters were sent radio messages instructing them to open the sealed envelope which had been deposited in ships' safes as much as a year previously. It was the Knights of Columbus Hostel on Harvey Road which was frequently used by the servicemen. The Crew List Index Project (CLIP) offers a searchable index of ships by official number. Medals and awards Refer to our research guides: Campaign and service medals Australian military honours and awards Where to look for photographs Merchant Navy ships' records: movement cards 1939-1945; Merchant Navy ships' records: registration of merchant ships; Add a tag. The British Merchant Navy fleet was the largest in the world in 1939 and around 185,000 men served in it during the war. This meant that Monarch of Bermuda with eight other liners and the cruiser HMS Royal Sovereign increased speed from 13 knots to 16 knots. Read tagging guidelines. The Wartime Memories Project is a non profit organisation run by volunteers. Subscribe now for regular news, updates and priority booking for events.Sign up, All content is available under the Open Government Licence I think the tag '' should be removed from: Subscribe now for regular news, updates and priority booking for events, All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0, except where otherwise stated, BT - Records of the Board of Trade and of successor and related bodies, Division within BT - Records of the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen and successor, Merchant Navy seamen in service since 1918, About our Discovery is a catalogue of archival records across the UK and beyond, from which you can search 32 million records. To view all records for an individual, select 'ALL' in the Service box. Medals were not automatically issued, but had to be claimed by the merchant seaman. These files have joined our collection in an effort to better serve the public who are looking for proof of their ancestor's service, The first block of this series contained 4,800 cubic feet of records, The Coast Guard National Maritime Center (NMC) is the approving official for World War II Merchant Marine separation documents. Use the name indexes (indicated below in brackets) to locate a certificate number. Nine types of medals were awarded to British merchant seamen who served in the Second World War and who met the qualifications for each medal. 1.30 a.m. Friday 14th of May 1943 Jim Wafer was seen apparently asleep in Seaman Gunners Quarters by Able Seaman Stanley Poole. A little after 1.30 a.m. the last person to speak to Grandad was Able Seaman M. Towers. A register entry for a foreign trade voyage, from BT 124. The British Merchant Navy fleet was the largest in the world in 1939 and around 185,000 men served in it during the Second World War. He listed drowning as the probable cause of death. We weren't sorry to leave there in a cattle truck three days later, when we were taken to Drancy Prison in Paris. Anyone who qualified for both the France & Germany Star and the Atlantic Star would be awarded the first Star earned, with a Clasp. Members Featured Photos by AJ Hawker Tankers-At Sea or in Rivers 2468 photos 4219 comments by AJ Hawker Cargo Ships---Engines midships 2392 photos 4199 comments by Russ Kennedy Tugs-Icebreaker & Research & Supply 955 photos 1720 comments by Gary L Tankers-At Sea or in Rivers 2468 photos We'd like to use additional cookies to remember your settings and understand how you use our services. If anyone knows of my father, Captain Len Chapman I will be pleased to hear! TNA has detailed research guides on the Fourth and Fifth Registers of Seamen and other records. Subscribe now for regular news, updates and priority booking for events.Sign up, All content is available under the Open Government Licence Records of masters and mates passing the voluntary examination are in series BT 143 (which includes a name index) and in BT 6/218-219. Visit The National Archives bookshop for a range of publications on the Merchant Navy. Thomas Coakley examined the body and states no violence was used in his death but his body was badly damaged, due to it being trapped for days under the lock gates of the dock. Military ; Card Catalog ; Member Search ; DNA. When he talked to my Grandad he was told that he had a bad headache. He died on 21st Aug 1973. Subscribe now for regular news, updates and priority booking for events.Sign up, All content is available under the Open Government Licence Some of these records are alsoavailable on the subscription websitewww.findmypast.co.uk. A merchant seaman might also qualify serving in operations off the Moroccan coast between 8 November 1942 and 12 May 1943. Edit Search New Search. The names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, Search 5: service details of Merchant Navy cooks 1913-1956 This is a search in record series BT 319. You need to sign in to tag. The image you order will usually come with a number of medal records for other seamen. This is the story of my Grandad, James Wafer and his best friend and shipmate Matty Towers. Within the Returns of Births and Deaths of Passengers 1939-1963 there are for 1939-1945 also records of deaths of soldiers on hospital and troopships, but it is necessary to know the name of the ship. This collection records the movements of ships ordinarily engaged in foreign going trade. All Web: UK, World War II Medals Issued to Merchant Seamen, 1939-1945 results for Giron. There have been times when I've thought about the few months of kindness and friendliness shown by Frau Wilmbrock and her family in the village of Kirch, where I and fellow Stalag X-B prisoner Jock Reid worked their farm. The book's structure follows the chronological evolution of geographical opinions and retains a geohistorical narrative. Records of Royal Naval Reserve ratings in service between 1914 -1955 are available online atwww.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/royal-naval-reserve-service-records.htm. A register entry for home trade voyages, from BT 126. Results 1-4 of 4 View Record Name Birth Date; As fast as they drew up new convoy plans, the instructions would change. Search indexes to crew lists from 1861 to 1913 by name on findmypast (). Registers were created to record the awarding of these certificates to officers and what they had done to qualify for them. Hello, I have just started to look for my deceased fathers merchant navy records. This collection of records, BT 395, lists the medals awarded to merchant seamen for their service in the Second World War (1939-1945), with the exception of the. Arrangements for those who succumbed to seasickness consisted of 40 gallon drums which slid about the deck with unpleasant splashings. USA.gov, The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration The official record of these two mens' deaths falls so short of telling the whole story. Add a Name to this List Showing 1-30 of 261 records. Merchant Navy Awards 1939-1945 Merchant Navy Awards 1939-1945 This collection details over 9,000 awards made to those who served in the Merchant Navy from 1939-45. My mum told me that he did serve. He describes why . "On the 16th July 1940, I was on 4-8 watch when according to the 8-12 watch a ship flying Yugoslav colours had opened fire from the port quarter, killing the radio operator and setting fire to the bridge. A merchant seaman could qualify after six months service with at least one voyage in an operational area. v3.0. By 08.20 both escorts were proceeding at 6 knots towing Anselms empty boats, but as speed increased to 13 knots these gradually broke away and were lost. After a change of orders she eventually left the Clyde with escorts on 30th June. All were willing and did their best to help abandon ship quickly in the short time available. Below is the last movement card for the SS Athenia. Captain Elliott concluded that Anselm was abandoned without panic or unnecessary confusion. Shortly after, Samaria set sail for Algiers via the River Clyde, Glasgow. At 7.45 p.m. the Samaria was about to sail. On 13th December the weather reached gale force which repeated the heavy rolling and misery in the troopdecks experienced on the first leg of the voyage. Medal record of Alfred Harry Badman, BT 395/1. Awarded for service in the Pacific Ocean, South China Sea or the Indian Ocean between 8 December 1941 and 2 September 1945. Germany turned submarines, battleships, aircraft and mines on Britains supply lines, while British and American shipyards worked tirelessly to replace those ships that were sunk. These records were compiled at the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen. All First World War records for these formations have been transferred to TNA. Increased Centralization and the Ikhwan Movement (1926-1934) 13. Let us know. The certificate number obtained from the index indicates: Certificate numbers with a letter(s) prefix NWS were issued in the colonies. The ship left Suez on 27th August via Port Sudan to load commercial cargo at Mombasa for Capetown and the UK. Consult our guide to records of merchant seamen serving after 1917for advice on searching within registers of seamen and seamens pouchesto establishvoyage details which you may be able to apply to the service of officers. Matthew Towers was 48 years old when he lost his life. To find out about a seamans entitlement, contact the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen. Suffice it to say the remainder of the convoy including Monarch of Bermuda made the passage safely arriving in Freetown on 13th July to fuel and take on water and sailing on 17th July for Durban. If you don't have an account please register. After four months aboard the raider, we were transferred to a prison ship. This number made up around one third of the entire global merchant fleet at the time, with many of the seamen coming from all over the Empire, including India, Hong Kong and West Africa. What are these records? The often slow-moving shipsand the civilian merchant mariners who maneuvered themwere easy targets for enemy fire. Particular emphasis was put on implementing the convoy system, by which warships would customarily escort groups of merchant ships to deter attacks from German U-boats. was taken ashore by the military authorities for burial. The War Medal 1939-45 was awarded for 28 days full-time service in the Armed Forces between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. Military ; Card Catalog ; Member Search ; DNA. The series generally contains information about radio equipment . You can find out whether a medal was issued by looking at the markings on the records. Many merchant seamen came from parts of the British Empire, such as India, Hong Kong and west African countries. A merchant seaman qualified serving within a restricted area in the Bay of Bengal. Merchant Navy - The port where the merchant mariner signed on as a member of a ship's crew at the commencement or during the war. 1939-1945. Their targets now travel in convoys, fiercely guarded by Royal Navy destroyers, and when contact is finally made the hunters rapidly become the hunted. By 1895, they were essentially out of business. : s.n., between 1939 and 1940) AWM call number: 387.5071094 M554; Online. ConsultBT 139for certificates of competency from 1861-1921, BT 142forcertificates of service from 1862-1921 andBT 140for certificates of service of engineers examined in the colonies from 1870-1921 (index in BT 141). Image: Mary Evans/Pharcide"}},{"__typename":"PrismicArticlePage1939BodySliceText","type":"slice-text","primary":{"__typename":"PrismicArticlePage1939BodySliceTextPrimary","content":[{"type":"paragraph","text":"Particular emphasis was put on implementing the convoy system, by which warships would customarily escort groups of merchant ships to deter attacks from German U-boats. You do not have to fill in all fields to search. Merchant Navy 1939-1945 Royal Navy 1939-1945 Naval Warfare Atlantic 1939-1945 Malta 1939-1945 British Home Front 1939-1945 British Army 1939-1945 Submarines German Home Front 1939-1945 Prisoners of War, . . (6th June 1944 - 8th May 1945). While the crew were preparing and lowering the lifeboats which were filled with personnel as they calmly filed up from the troop decks, HMS Challenger approached and skilfully placed her bow under the port quarter of Anselm, Many men jumped on board before the two ships became separated. By 05.47 all remaining boats were being rapidly filled by the use of side ladders and side decks while the remaining personnel jumped into the sea to grasp the lifelines of boats and rafts. The ships formed up with the Clyde contingent for convoy WS 16 west of Orsay on the 17th. ","spans":[]}]}},{"__typename":"PrismicArticlePage1939BodySliceText","type":"slice-text","primary":{"__typename":"PrismicArticlePage1939BodySliceTextPrimary","content":[{"type":"paragraph","text":"After the declaration of war in September 1939, the Ministry of Shipping then under the control of Lieutenant-Colonel Sir John Gilmour took control of the merchant fleet. Ships & Convoys. Information about official records for the Merchant Navy (UK) can be found at the National Maritime Museum (UK) Details about the role of the Australian Merchant Navy and the role Australian merchant ships played in World War II can be found at Merchant Ships of Australia in World War 2. This section includes over 21.000 Allied Warships and over 11.000 Allied Commanders of WWII, from the US Navy, Royal Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Australian Navy, The Polish Navy and others. Awarded for service between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. Next Apply for your own . Consult series BT 128 for details. - Merchant Navy during the Second World War -. The National Archives' catalogue Catalogue description Registry of Shipping and Seamen: Database of World War II Medals issued to Merchant Seamen Search within or browse this series to find. We are researching his time in India but know of some stories but not a lot except playing hockey against and Indian Team and winning! These cards have been selected as they reflect the economic, social and demographic condition of the UK, as documented by the state's dealings with individuals, communities and organisations outside its own formal boundaries (2.2.2.1 of PRO's acquisition policy). On the 18th the weather worsened to force 6 with a rough sea and short, heavy swell with poor visibility. The popularity of the site means that it is far exceeding available resources. The official records state the purser took possession of his discharge book, his I.D. (d.13th October 1945), Capt. This information will help us make improvements to the website. Anyone who qualified for both the Pacific Star and the Burma Star would be awarded the first Star earned. Genealogical enquiriesshould be made in writing and search fees are 30. v3.0, except where otherwise stated, Merchant Navy campaign medal records 1939-1945. are on the same page. At 05.55 all the boats but one had cleared the ship, by which time the foredeck was completely submerged and the water almost up to the level of the promenade deck. The Lloyd Captains Registers were compiled from the records of certificates issued to foreign-going masters. The funeral for 46 year old Jim Wafer was held on Tuesday 1st of June 1943 at St Dominic's Roman Catholic Church then burial at Ford Cemetery. In any case, there might be a legitimate reason why only some cards indicate the latest name, i.e. The T124X records detail the sea service of merchant seamen who served on Royal Navy ships (or Royal Navy auxiliary vessels). For quick pointersTuesday to Saturday 1-86-NARA-NARA or 1-866-272-6272, SAINT LOUIS, December 16, 2019 The public now has access to previously unavailable information concerning former merchant mariners and their maritime service through Merchant Marine Licensing Files, made available by the, The public can access these records in two ways: through a request made via an. From 1850 onwards, an officer was only officially qualified or certified as an officer if he had been awarded a Certificate of Competency (by passing an exam) or a Certificate of Service (for long service). This information will help us make improvements to the website. Records of Merchant Navy from other sources. Records of Merchant Navy from other sources. We landed in Bordeaux a few weeks later and were taken to the prison camp Caserne Colonial Bordeaux. A Clasp would be worn to signify service for the other Star. Germany turned submarines, battleships, aircraft and mines on Britains supply lines, while British and American shipyards worked tirelessly to replace those ships that were sunk. giving a true reflection as to when the name-change was made. Service Number . card and his grey suit jacket. If you have already submitted a story to the site and your UID reference number is higher than 261046 your information is still in the queue, please do not resubmit, we are working through them as quickly as possible. From 1835, details of seafarers were recorded in registers by the Register Office for Merchant Seamen, later the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen, using information from the crew lists. The swell was of considerable height and the ships became almost unmanageable and steering had to be assisted by engines. From the mid-18th century, masters or owners of most British-registered merchant ships were required to keep a record of their crew before the ship left port. Merchant seamen 1939-1945. Historically many vessels have had their names changed, sometimes on more than one occasion. Research guidance for records relating to World War 2. 1939-1950. Order records to view when you visit. Tragically, 30,248 merchant seamen lost their lives during World War Two, a death rate proportionally higher than in any of the armed forces. Birth, Marriage & Death, including Parish ; Military ; Wills & Probate ; Immigration & Travel ; Schools, Directories & Church Histories ; Public Member Trees ; . Search and download () records of World War Two Medals issued to Merchant Seamen (BT 395). The only good thing I remember about Drancy was the kindness of the French women who had nothing themselves, but nevertheless threw loaves of bread to us past the guards. privacy policy, Registry of Shipping and Seamen: War of 1939-1945; Merchant Seamen's Service on Royal Navy Ships. Ordinary Seaman Charles Lomax served with the Merchant Navy in WW2. Generally the qualifying service period for the Italy Star could only begin after the 1939-1945 Star had been earned by six months service. The following codes may be found on the record: Markings found on the record may include: The letter R over a code can signify that an application for that medal was reviewed and refused. There were still some men on the after deck, but could not see if they had jumped clear before the ship sank. But by the time its recommendations were implemented in 1994, the 15-year- old deckboys would have been in their mid-60s, while a seaman of 50 when the war ended would have been 100. v3.0, the day by day movements of the ship (in Athenias case the final entry records her sinking), anticipated movements, i.e. ConsultBT 122-126and BT 128 (index in BT 127). Furthermore, the MID does not appear on the Order of Wearing Australian Honours and Awards approved from time . The trip back to Liverpool was via Durban, Capetown, Trinidad and Halifax. The Socio-political Structure of Saudi Arabia after its Creation 14. The cards are presented in alphabetical order by ship's name. recording and preserving recollections, documents, photographs and small items. After five days of normal transportation (i.e., in cattle trucks), we arrived at Bremervorde in northwestern Germany near Bremen, and were then marched several miles to Stalag X-B in Sandbostel, where we were greeted by the stink of death. "Along with this new series have come some new experiences. Alternatively, search more than 1 million objects from Have you found an error with this catalogue description? Not all changes in ships names are logged on the cards and in such cases it will be necessary to obtain the ships official number (not usually recorded on the cards) and check against that number for all possible name changes. ","spans":[]}]}},{"__typename":"PrismicArticlePage1939BodySliceImage","type":"slice-image","primary":{"__typename":"PrismicArticlePage1939BodySliceImagePrimary","image":{"dimensions":{"width":1200,"height":1882},"alt":"Propaganda poster for the Merchant Navy during World War II. If they appear on the same page, you should only pay one fee. Fireman. Each set of cards records: The cards also show if the ship was torpedoed, mined, damaged or sunk. Thomas Andrew "Tots" Storey (d.7th Sep 1940), L/Bdr Norman Power Maritime Regiment Royal Artillery. Research guide C12: The Merchant Navy: Ship registration and Custom House records; Research guide E1: .
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